Maintenance system and cleaning system having the same

ABSTRACT

A maintenance system and a cleaning system having the same, the maintenance system including a maintenance station provided at indoors to mount a robot cleaner having a first dust container thereon, a suction port to suck dust of the first dust container, and a dust removing apparatus connected to the suction port while being disposed at outdoors, so that the cleaning performance is maintained regardless of existence of dust in the dust container of the robot cleaner while enhancing the spatial efficiency at indoors.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/647,231, filed on May 15, 2012, Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2012-0144645, filed on Dec. 12, 2012, in the KoreanIntellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a cleaning systemcapable of performing a cleaning task using an autonomous travellingrobot.

2. Description of the Related Art

An autonomous travelling robot is an apparatus designed to perform apredetermined task while travelling a random region without usermanipulation. The robot performs most of its operation throughautonomous travelling, and such an autonomous travelling is implementedin various manners. For example, a robot may travel in a designated pathby use of a map, or may travel without having a designated path by useof a sensor to detect a surrounding environment.

A robot cleaner is an apparatus to clean a floor while travelling acleaning region without user manipulation. In detail, the robot cleaneris used to remove dust or wipe a floor, for example, at home. The dustmay represent soil dirt, powder, fragments and other dust particlescollected by a vacuum cleaner or an automatic or semi-automatic cleaner.

Such a robot cleaner is capable of cleaning a floor without usermanipulation, but when dust is filled in a dust container provided at aninside the robot cleaner, the cleaning performance may be degraded.

SUMMARY

Therefore, it is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide acleaning system having an additional dust removing apparatus provided atan outdoor.

It is another aspect of the present disclosure to provide a maintenancesystem having a structure capable of miniaturization, and a cleaningsystem having the same.

Additional aspects of the disclosure will be set forth in part in thedescription which follows and, in part, will be obvious from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a maintenancesystem includes a maintenance station, a suction pipe, and a dustremoving apparatus. The maintenance station may be provided at indoorsto mount a robot cleaner having a first dust container thereon. Thesuction pipe may be connected to the maintenance station to guide dustof the first dust container to outside of the maintenance station. Thedust removing apparatus may be disposed at outdoors to store dust whilebeing connected to the suction pipe.

The maintenance system may further include an exhaust pipe. The exhaustpipe may be connected to the maintenance station and configured to floatdust through air being introduced by blowing air in the first dustcontainer.

The maintenance station may be provided at an inside thereof with asuction duct and an exhaust duct that communicate with the suction pipeand the exhaust pipe, respectively.

The maintenance station may be provided with a second opening at aposition corresponding to a first opening extending from the first dustcontainer. A suction port and at least one exhaust port, whichcommunicate with the suction duct and the exhaust duct, respectively,may be provided at the second opening.

The at least one exhaust port and the suction port may be disposed atopposite sides to each other with respect to the second opening.

The at least one exhaust port may have a cross section smaller than across section of the suction port to increase a speed of flow at the atleast one exhaust port.

The suction pipe and the exhaust pipe may be disposed while passingthrough a wall that divides the indoors from the outdoors.

The maintenance station may be provided at an end portion thereof with acoupling part being inserted into the wall that divides the indoors fromthe outdoors. The suction pipe and the exhaust pipe may be coupled tothe coupling part.

The dust removing apparatus may have a second dust container to storedust being discharged from the first dust container.

The dust removing apparatus may further include a blower unit configuredto blow in air at the at least one exhaust port and suck air at thesuction port.

The dust removing apparatus may further include a filter to prevent dustof the second dust container from being introduced into the blower unit.

The first opening and the second opening may be disposed to match eachother so that the first dust container, the suction port, the suctionpipe, the dust removing apparatus, the exhaust pipe and the at least oneexhaust port form a closed loop in cooperation with one another.

The maintenance station may further include a docking inducing apparatusand a charging apparatus. The docking inducing apparatus may be providedto allow the robot cleaner to be docked at the maintenance station. Thecharging apparatus may be configured to charge the robot cleaner.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, amaintenance system includes a maintenance station, a suction pipe, adust removing apparatus and an exhaust pipe. The maintenance station maybe disposed at indoors to mount a robot cleaner having a first dustcontainer thereon. The suction pipe may communicate with the maintenancestation to discharge dust of the robot cleaner. The dust removingapparatus may be disposed at outdoors to store the dust being dischargedthrough the suction pipe. The exhaust pipe may be configured tointroduce air into the maintenance station so as to float dust at aninside the first dust container, the exhaust pipe having one end portioncommunicating with the maintenance station and the other end portioncommunicating with the dust removing apparatus. The dust removingapparatus may further include a blower unit configured to allow air tobe discharged through the exhaust pipe while allowing dust and air to besucked through the suction pipe.

The maintenance station may be provided with a second openingcorresponding to a first opening communicating with the first dustcontainer of the robot cleaner. A suction port may be disposed at thesecond opening so that the second opening communicates with the suctionpipe. At least one exhaust port may be disposed at the second opening sothat the second opening communicates with the exhaust pipe.

A center line of the at least one exhaust port may be disposed to bedeviated from a center line of the suction port to prevent air beingdischarged from the at least one exhaust port from being directlyintroduced into the suction port.

The at least one exhaust port may have a cross section smaller than across section of the suction port to increase a speed of flow at the atleast one exhaust port.

The dust removing apparatus may include a second dust container and afilter. The second dust container has air and dust introduced thereintothrough the suction pipe. The filter may be disposed between the seconddust container and the blower unit so as to introduce air into theblower unit.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a cleaningsystem includes a robot cleaner, a maintenance station, a suction pipeand a dust removing apparatus. The robot cleaner may have a firstopening and a first dust container communicating with the first opening.The robot cleaner may be mounted on the maintenance station, and mayhave a second opening disposed at a position corresponding to the firstopening. The suction pipe may communicate with the second opening whilecommunicating with an outside of the maintenance station. The dustremoving apparatus may be connected to the suction pipe and have asecond dust container to store dust, the dust removing apparatusdisposed outdoors. The dust of the first dust container may bedischarged to the second opening through the first opening. Dust of thesecond opening may be collected through the suction pipe into the seconddust container of the dust removing apparatus at outdoors.

The cleaning system may further include an exhaust pipe having one endportion connected to the dust removing apparatus provided at outdoorsand the other end portion connected to the maintenance station providedat indoors so as to float dust through air being introduced by blowingair into the first dust container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent andmore readily appreciated from the following description of embodiments,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating a cleaning system in accordance with anaspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view illustrating a robot cleaner inaccordance with a robot cleaner.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the robot cleaner of FIG. 2.

FIGS. 4A to 4C are plan views showing dust sensing units in accordancewith various embodiments of the present disclosure, respectively.

FIGS. 5A to 5D are top part perspective views showing maintenancestations in accordance with various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 5E is a side sectional view showing a maintenance station inaccordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a drawing a dust removing apparatus in accordance with oneembodiment of the present disclosure mounted at a wall.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are drawing illustrating a structure of the dustremoving apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 8 is a drawing illustrating an exhaust path and a suction path ofthe maintenance station and the dust removing apparatus in accordancewith one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a side sectional view of the maintenance station of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 10 is a drawing illustrating the robot cleaner and the maintenancestation in accordance with one embodiment in a docking state.

FIG. 11 is a drawing illustrating a cleaning system in accordance withanother embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a side sectional view of a dust removing apparatus inaccordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a drawing illustrating a cleaning system in accordance withanother embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the presentdisclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elementsthroughout.

FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating a cleaning system in accordance with anaspect of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, a cleaning system 10 includes a robot cleaner 20, amaintenance station 60, and a dust removing apparatus 90. A maintenancesystem 100 includes the maintenance station 60 and the dust removingapparatus 90.

The robot cleaner 20 is an apparatus to perform a cleaning task whileautonomously travelling, and the maintenance station 60 is a maintenanceapparatus that serves to charge a battery of the robot cleaner 20 orempty a dust container 43 (See FIG. 2) of the robot cleaner 20.

The dust removing apparatus 90 is an apparatus connected to themaintenance station 60 to serve to generate a suction force to suckdust, which is collected in the dust container 43 of the robot cleaner20, from the dust container 43 while serving to collect the sucked dustin a predetermined space.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view illustrating a robot cleaner inaccordance with a robot cleaner. FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the robotcleaner of FIG. 2.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the robot cleaner 20 includes a body 21, adriving apparatus 30, a cleaning apparatus 40, various sensors 50, and acontroller (not shown).

The body 21 may be provided in a variety of shapes. For example, thebody 21 may be provided in a circular shape. In this case, the body 21has a constant turning radius at the time of turning, thereby preventedcontact with a surrounding obstacle, and easily changing in direction.In addition, at the time of travelling, the body 21 provided in acircular shape is prevented from being stuck while being caught with asurrounding obstacle.

At the body 21, various components, such as the driving apparatus 30,the cleaning apparatus 40, the various sensors 50, a display 23 and thecontroller (not shown) are installed.

The driving apparatus 30 enables the body 21 to travel on a cleaningregion. The driving apparatus 30 includes a left side driving wheel 31a, a right side driving wheel 31 b, and a caster 32. The left side andright side driving wheels 31 a and 31 b are mounted at a center portionof a lower part of the body 21. The caster 32 is mounted at a frontportion of the lower part of the body 21 such that the robot cleaner 20maintains a stable posture.

The left side and right side driving wheels 31 a and 31 b are controlledto move the robot cleaner 20 forward/backward or to change of thedirection of the robot cleaner 20. For example, if the left side andright side driving wheels 31 a and 31 b are equally controlled, therobot cleaner 20 travels forward or backward, and if the left side andright side driving wheels 31 a and 31 b are differently controlled, therobot cleaner 20 changes its direction.

The left/right side driving wheels 31 a and 31 b may be provided in oneassembly and the caster 32 may be provided in one assembly, and therespective assemblies of the left/right side driving wheels 31 a and 31b and the caster 32 provided may be detachably mounted on the body 21.

The cleaning apparatus 40 cleans the bottom of the body 21 and asurrounding area of the body 21. The cleaning apparatus 40 includes abrush unit 41, a side brush 42, and the first dust container 43.

The brush unit 41 is mounted at a first opening 21 a formed though abottom surface of the body 21. The brush unit 41 is located at aposition deviated from a center area of the body 21. That is, the brushunit 41 is mounted at a rear portion R of the body 21 when compared tothe driving wheels 31 a and 31 b.

The brush unit 41 is provided to sweep dust accumulated on the bottom ofthe body 21 into the first dust container 43. The brush unit 41 includesa roller 41 a rotatably provided at the first opening 21 a of the body21, and a brush 41 b stuck into an outer surface of the roller 41 a. Asthe roller 41 a rotates, the brush 41 b formed of elastic material stirsdust accumulated on the bottom, so the dust accumulated on the floor isstored in the first dust container 43 after passing through the firstopening 21 a.

The brush unit 41 is controlled at a constant speed to keep the cleaningperformance constant. In a case of cleaning a floor surface that is notsmooth as in a carpet, the rotation speed is decreased when compared tocleaning a smooth floor surface. In this case, more of electric currentis supplied to keep the rotation speed of the brush unit 41 constant.

The side brush 42 is rotatably mounted at one portion of a periphery ofthe bottom surface of the body 21. The side brush 42 is provided in adiagonal direction toward the front portion F.

The side brush 42 moves the dust accumulated at a surrounding area ofthe body 21 to the brush unit 41. The side brush 42 expands a cleaningrange of the robot cleaner 20 to the bottom of the 21 and thesurrounding area. As described above, the dust moved to the brush unit41 is stored in the first dust container 43 after passing through thefirst opening 21 a.

The first dust container 43 is mounted at a rear portion of the body 21.An inlet 45 of the first dust container 43 communicates with the firstopening 21 a of the body 21 so that dust is introduced into the firstdust container 43.

The first dust container 43 is divided into a large dust container 43 aand a small dust container 43 b by a division wall 43 c. The brush unit41 sweeps large-sized dust in the large dust container 43 a through afirst inlet 45 a, and stores small-sized dust, which may be floatable,such as hair, in the small dust container 43 b by sucking thesmall-sized dust through a second inlet 45 b.

A brush cleaning member 41 c is provided adjacent to the second inlet 45b. The brush cleaning member 41 c filters hair being wound around thebrush unit 41, and through a suction force of the blower unit 22, thefiltered hair is stored in the small dust container 43 b through thesecond inlet 45 b.

Each of the brush unit 41, the side brush 42, and the first dustcontainer 43 may be provided in a single assembly, and each assembly maybe detachably mounted on the body 21.

FIGS. 4A to 4C are plan views showing dust sensing units in accordancewith various embodiments of the present disclosure, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 4A, a dust sensing unit 44 is installed at an insidethe first dust container 43 to detect the amount of dust of the firstdust container 43.

The dust sensing unit 44 includes a light emitting sensor 44 a and alight receiving sensor 44 b. At an inside the first dust container 43, asignal being transmitted from the light emitting sensor 44 a is directlyreceived by the light receiving sensor 44 b.

The light emitting sensor 44 a and the light receiving sensor 44 binclude a photo diode or a photo transistor. In this case, whether thefirst dust container 43 is full of dust is determined based on theamount of the energy detected by a photo diode or a photo transistor.That is, if dust is accumulated, the amount of energy detected by thephoto diode or the photo transistor is significantly reduced. Thedetected amount of energy is compared with a predetermined referencevalue, and if the amount of energy is lower than the reference value,the controller determines that the first dust container 43 is full ofdust. As described above, the light emitting sensor 44 a and the lightreceiving sensor 44 b include a photo diode or a photo transistor iseasily affected by disturbance, so the detection of dust is more preciseif a slit or a light guide configured to guide a signal of the lightemitting sensor 44 a and the light receiving sensor 44 b is installed.

In addition, the light emitting sensor 44 a and the light receivingsensor 44 b each may include a remote controller receiving module. Inthis case, the fullness of dust in the first dust container 43 isdetermined depending on whether signals are received by the lightreceiving sensor 44 b. That is, if dust is accumulated, the lightreceiving sensor 44 b fails to receive the signal being transmitted fromthe light emitting sensor 44 a, and the controller determines that thefirst dust container 43 is filled with dust at a predetermined level orabove. The light emitting sensor 44 a and the light receiving sensor 44b including the remote controller receiving module are capable offiltering low frequency, and in addition, have superior intensity andreceiver sensitivity and thus a slit or a light guide structure may notbe needed.

The signal transmitted and received by the light emitting sensor 44 aand the light receiving sensor 44 b is implemented using, for example,visible rays, infrared rays, sound waves, ultrasonic waves, or any othersignal that one of ordinary skill in the art would find suitable fordetecting the dust.

Referring to FIG. 4B, the dust sensing unit 44 includes a light sensingsensor 44 a, a light receiving sensor 44 b and a reflection member 44 c.

The light emitting sensor 44 a and the light receiving sensor 44 b maybe installed other than at an inside the first dust container 43. Forexample, the light emitting sensor 44 a and the light receiving sensor44 b may be installed at a portion of the body 21 facing the first dustcontainer 43. In detail, the light emitting sensor 44 a and the lightreceiving sensor 44 b may be installed at a position adjacent to aninlet 45 of the first dust container 43. Accordingly, the light emittingsensor 44 a transmits a signal to the inside the first dust container 43through the inlet 45 of the first dust container 43, and the lightreceiving sensor 44 b receives a signal, which escapes to the outside ofthe first dust container 43, through the inlet 45 of the first dustcontainer 43.

The reflection member 44 c is installed at the inside the first dustcontainer 43. The reflection member 44 c reflects a signal beingtransmitted from the light emitting sensor 44 a toward a direction atwhich the light receiving sensor 44 b exists.

If the first dust container 43 is full of dust, the reflection member 44c is blocked by dust, and thus the signal being transmitted from thelight emitting sensor 44 a is not received by the light receiving sensor44 b, or the amount of energy being detected by the light receivingsensor 44 b is significantly decreased. In this case, the controllerdetermines that the first dust container 43 is filled with dust in apredetermined level or above.

The light emitting sensor 44 a and the light receiving sensor 44 b, eachincluding a remote controller motor as described above, are capable offiltering low frequency, and in addition have a superior intensity andreceiver sensitivity, and thus a slit or a light guide structure is notneeded. That is, even if a structure such as the reflection member 44 cdoes not exist at an inside the first dust container 43, the lightemitting sensor 44 a and the light receiving sensor 44 b including aremote controller module, are capable of determining whether dust isfull.

Since the light emitting sensor 44 a and the light receiving sensor 44 bmay not need to be installed at an inside the first dust container 43,an electric connection terminal may not need to be installed at aninside the first dust container 43, thereby enabling the first dustcontainer 43 to be cleaned by a user using water or other liquidcleaner.

Referring to FIG. 4C, the dust sensing unit 44 includes a light emittingsensor 44 a and a light receiving sensor 44 b.

The light emitting sensor 44 a and the light receiving sensor 44 b maybe installed other than at an inside the first dust container 43 Forexample, the light emitting sensor 44 a and the light receiving sensor44 b may be installed at the body 21 to face each other. In detail, thelight emitting sensor 44 a is installed at one portion of the body 21facing one side of the first dust container 43, and the light receivingsensor 44 b is installed at the other portion of the body 21 facing theother side of the first dust container 43. In this case, the first dustcontainer 43 is disposed between the light emitting sensor 44 a and thelight receiving sensor 44 b, so the signals being transmitted from thelight emitting sensor 44 a are received by the light receiving sensor 44b by passing through the first dust container 43. The first dustcontainer 43, as a whole, may be formed of transparent material allowingsignals to pass therethrough. Alternatively, the first dust container 43may be provided at a portion thereof corresponding to the light emittingsensor 44 a with a transmission signal penetrating part 44 d formed oftransparent material allowing signals to pass therethrough, and at aportion thereof corresponding to the light receiving sensor 44 b with areception signal penetrating part 44 e formed of transparent materialallowing signals to pass therethrough.

The signals being transmitted from the light emitting sensor 44 a aredirectly received by the light receiving sensor 44 b. If the first dustcontainer 43 is full of dust, the signal is not detected by the lightreceiving sensor 44 b, or the amount of energy detected is significantlyreduced. In this case, the controller determines that the first dustcontainer 43 is full of dust. Since an electric connection structure isnot installed at the first dust container 43, the first dust container43 is cleaned by a user using water or any liquid cleaner

Although embodiments shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, shows one unit of the dustsensing unit, however, a plurality of dust sensing units may beinstalled to improve the detection of the dust. Further, a plurality ofreflection members may be installed to reflect the signals multipletimes to detect the areas that may not be covered by one unit of thedust sensing unit.

If the dust sensing unit 44 detects dust at a predetermined amount orabove, the robot cleaner 20 displays information about the detectedamount of dust on the display 23. The user may manually clean the firstdust container 43. The robot cleaner 20 may be automatically docked atthe maintenance station 60, and the dust stored may be automaticallydischarged.

The various sensors 50 are mounted at the body 21 to detect theobstacles. The sensors may be implemented using a sensor such as acontact sensor and a proximity sensor. For example, a bumper 51 beinginstalled at the front portion F of the body 21 is used to detect anobstacle disposed at the front portion, for example, a wall. Inaddition, the obstacle disposed at the front portion may be detected byan infrared sensor or an ultrasonic sensor.

In addition, the infrared sensor 52 or the ultrasonic sensor that isinstalled at the bottom of the body 21 is used to detect the status ofthe floor, for example, stairs. In a case that the plurality of infraredsensors are provided, the plurality of infrared sensors are installedalong a semi-circular periphery of the bottom of the body 21.

Various sensors other than the above described sensors may be installedat the body 21 to transmit the status of the robot cleaner 20 to thecontroller.

The controller receives signals from the various sensors 50 to controlthe driving apparatus 30 and the cleaning apparatus 40, therebyeffectively controlling the robot cleaner 20.

FIGS. 5A to 5D are top part perspective views showing maintenancestations in accordance with various embodiments of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 5E is a side sectional view of a maintenance station inaccordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 5A to 5D, the robot cleaner 20 (see FIG. 1) is dockedat the maintenance station 60 in various conditions, for example, when abattery (not shown) of the robot cleaner 20 is charged, the robotcleaner 20 may perform a cleaning task for a predetermined period oftime, the robot cleaner 20 completes with a cleaning, and the first dustcontainer 43 of the robot cleaner 20 may be full of dust.

The maintenance station 60 includes a housing 61, a docking inducingapparatus 70, a charging apparatus 80, and a controller (not shown).

A platform 62 is provided at the housing 61. When the robot cleaner 20is docked at the maintenance station 60, the platform 62 supports therobot cleaner 20.

The platform 62 is slantingly provided to enable the robot cleaner 20 tobe easily mounted or dismounted to the platform 62. A caster guide part63 a to guide the caster 32 (see FIG. 3) of the robot cleaner 20, anddriving wheel guide parts 63 b and 63 c to guide the left and right sidedriving wheels 31 a and 31 b (see FIG. 3) of the robot cleaner 20 areformed at the platform 62. The caster guide part 63 a and the drivingwheel guide parts 63 b and 63 c are formed while being depressed fromthe platform 62.

The platform 62 is formed with a second opening 62 a. The second opening62 a of the platform 62 is provided at a position communicating with thefirst opening 21 a (see FIG. 1) of the robot cleaner 210. Accordingly,the dust being discharged through the first opening 21 a of the robotcleaner 20 is introduced into the second opening 62 a of the platform62.

The dust being introduced into the second opening 62 a of the platform62 is introduced into a second dust container 93 of the dust removingapparatus 90 that is to be described later.

The second opening 62 a of the platform 62 is provided while being openas shown in FIG. 5A. That is, the second opening 62 a of the platform 62is not provided with an additional cover installed thereto, and is openat all times.

The platform 62 is slantingly formed at a predetermined angel θ or above(see FIG. 9). When the robot cleaner 20 passes by the platform 62slantingly formed at a predetermined angel θ or above, the robot cleaner20 is weighted to the rear portion thereof, and thus the front portionof the robot cleaner 20 is slightly lifted. Accordingly, the caster 32of the robot cleaner 20 passes by without falling into the secondopening 62 a of the platform 62.

As shown in FIG. 5B, a cover 64 is installed at the second opening 62 aof the platform 62 so as to enable reciprocation in a sliding manner.When the robot cleaner 20 is completed with docking, the cover 64 ismade to be open, and thus the dust of the robot cleaner 20 is dischargedto the second opening 62 a of the platform 62. On the contrary, when thedocking of the robot cleaner 20 is canceled or the robot cleaner 20 isundocked, the cover 64 is made to be closed, and thus the second opening62 a of the platform 62 is closed.

The cover 64 serves as a bridge, through which the caster 32 of therobot cleaner 20 passes by. The cover 64 is opened and closed inconjunction with the docking of the robot cleaner 20. That is, at thetime of docking the robot cleaner 20, the cover 64 is open when thecaster 32 is passing by the cover 64 or after the caster 32 passes bythe cover 64. At the time of cancelling of docking or undocking therobot cleaner 20, the cover 64 is closed when the caster 32 is passingby the cover 64 or after the caster 32 passes by the cover 64. Inaddition, the cover 64 may be open and closed by use of an additionalapparatus.

As shown in FIG. 5C, a cover 65 is installed at the second opening 62 aof the platform 62 so as to enable reciprocation in a sliding manner.Different from the cover 64 described in FIG. 5B, the cover 65 isinstalled only at a central portion of the second opening 62 a of theplatform 62, thereby enabling the caster 32 of the robot cleaner 20 topass by the second opening 62 a of the platform 62. The opening/closingoperation of the cover 65 is identical to that of the cover 64 describedabove.

Referring to FIG. 5D, a bridge 66 is installed at the second opening 62a of the platform 62. The bridge 66 is installed only at a centerportion of the second opening 62 a of the platform 62, thereby servingas a bridge through which the caster 32 of the robot cleaner 20 passesby.

Referring to FIG. 5E, a bridge 67 a (67 b) is installed at the secondopening 62 a of the platform 62 so as to enable vertical reciprocatingmovement. For example, the bridge 67 a(67 b) may move upward anddownward. When the robot cleaner 20 enters the platform 62, the bridge67 a ascends so that the caster 32 of the robot cleaner 20 to movethereon, and when the docking of the robot cleaner 20 is completed, thebridge 67 b descends so that the opening area of the second opening 62 aof the platform 62 is increased.

A coupling part 68 is formed at the housing 61. The coupling part 68 isformed at one end portion of at the housing 61 opposite to the platform62.

The coupling part 68 is coupled to a suction pipe 94 and an exhaust pipe95 of the dust removing apparatus 90, so that the coupling part 68 isinserted into the inside of the wall W, as shown in FIG. 1.

Although the coupling part 68 in accordance with the present embodimentis integrally formed with the housing 61, the present disclosure is notlimited thereto. The coupling part 68 may be separately formed from thehousing 61, and then coupled to the housing 61.

In a case that the coupling part 68 is integrally formed with thehousing 61, the maintenance station 60 is provided in a built-in typefixed to the wall W.

The coupling part 68 may be separately formed from the housing 61, thecoupling part 68 is provided in plural thereof at a plurality of roomsor a plurality of houses, and the maintenance station 60 is mounted atone of the plural coupling parts 68. In this case, the maintenancestation 60 is freely moved to any place, at which the coupling part 68is provided, at user's convenience.

The docking inducing apparatus 70 is installed at an upper portion ofthe housing 61. The docking inducing apparatus 70 includes a pluralityof sensors 71. The plurality of sensors 71 forms a docking inducing areaand a docking area to guide the robot cleaner 20 to be precisely dockedat the maintenance station 60.

The charging apparatus 80 is installed at the platform 62. The chargingapparatus 80 includes a plurality of connection terminals 81 a and 81 b.The connection terminals 81 a and 81 b are formed at positionscorresponding to a plurality of connection terminals 23 a and 23 b ofthe robot cleaner 20, respectively. If the docking of the robot cleaner20 is completed, an electric current is supplied to the plurality ofconnection terminals 23 a and 23 b of the robot cleaner 20 through theplurality of connection terminals 81 a and 81 b of the maintenancestation 60.

The charging apparatus 80 supplies electric current by determiningwhether the plurality of connection terminals 23 a and 23 b of the robotcleaner 20 is connected. In a case that different components other thanthe plurality of connection terminals 23 a and 23 b of the robot cleaner20 are connected, the supply of current is cut so that unexpectedaccidents are prevented.

FIG. 6 is a drawing a dust removing apparatus in accordance with oneembodiment of the present disclosure mounted at a wall, and FIGS. 7A and7B are drawing illustrating a structure of the dust removing apparatusin accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 6 to 7B, the maintenance station 60 is disposed atindoors of the wall W, and the dust removing apparatus 90 is disposed atoutdoors of the wall W. The coupling part 68 of the maintenance station60 is insertedly fixed to the inside of the wall, and the suction pipe94 and the exhaust pipe 95 of the dust removing apparatus 90 are coupledto the coupling part 68, thereby coupling the maintenance station 60 tothe dust removing apparatus 90.

The dust removing apparatus 90 allows dust stored in the first dustcontainer 43 see FIG. 2) of the robot cleaner 20 to move toward thesecond dust container 93 through the maintenance station 60, therebykeeping the cleaning performance of the robot cleaner 20 constant.

The dust removing apparatus 90 includes a case 91, the second dustcontainer 93 installed at an inside the case 91, and a blower unit 92installed at an inside the case 91. In addition, the dust removingapparatus 90 includes the suction pipe 94 and the exhaust pipe 95.

The second dust container 93 of the dust removing apparatus 90 isdifferent from the first dust container 43 of the robot cleaner 20. Thefirst dust container 43 of the robot cleaner 20 serves to store dustbeing collected at the floor as the robot cleaner 20 travels, and thesecond dust container 93 serves to store dust being discharged from thefirst dust container 43 of the robot cleaner 20. Accordingly, the seconddust container 93 has a capacity larger than that of the first dustcontainer 43 of the robot cleaner 20.

The second dust container 93 is formed at an inside the case 91. Theblower unit 92 to generate a suction force allowing air or dust to beintroduced into the inside the second dust container 93 is installed atone side of the second dust container 93.

A filter 93 a is installed between the blower unit 92 and the seconddust container 93 such that even if dust is sucked into the second dustcontainer 93 by the suction force together with dust, only dust isstored in the second dust container 93 and air is drawn to the blowerunit 92.

The suction pipe 94 is mounted at the second dust container 93 whilebeing connected to the robot cleaner 20 and the maintenance station 60so as to suck air and dust.

The dust removing apparatus 90 has a structure in which air is exhaustedtoward the first dust container 43 so that dust at an inside the firstdust container 43 is scattered, and the scattered dust is sucked, sothat the amount of dust being discharged from the first dust container43 is increased.

The air being exhausted to the first dust container 43 is implementedusing air being exhausted from the blower unit 92. The blower unit 92draws air toward one direction while exhausting air toward the otherdirection. Accordingly, the exhaust pipe 95 is mounted at one side ofthe blower unit 92 at which air is exhausted.

In accordance with the present embodiment of the present disclosure, inorder to divide the exhaustion air from the suction air, an exhaust room92 a is additionally formed. The exhaust room 92 a may be replaced withother structure, or omitted.

The suction pipe 94 and the exhaust pipe 95 extend from the case 91, andwhile passing through the wall W, are coupled to the coupling part 68 ofthe maintenance station 60.

FIG. 8 is a drawing illustrating an exhaust path and a suction path ofthe maintenance station and the dust removing apparatus in accordancewith one embodiment. FIG. 9 is a side sectional view of the maintenancestation of FIG. 5A.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, a suction duct 96 is installed while beingconnected to the suction pipe 94. A suction port 96 a of the suctionduct 96 forms a part of the second opening 62 a. Alternatively, thesuction port 96 a may be provided at a position adjacent to the secondopening 62 a as a separate unit from the second opening 62 a.

The suction port 96 a is formed lengthwise along the second opening 62a, and takes a remaining area of the second opening 62 a except for anarea of the second opening 62 a taken by exhaust ports 97 a and 97 b. Asa non-limiting example, two exhaust ports are shown in FIG. 8, only oneexhaust port or more than two exhaust port may be used.

An exhaust duct 97 is installed while being connected to the exhaustpipe 95. The exhaust duct 97 is divided to form the two exhaust ports 97a and 97 b. The exhaust ports 97 a and 97 b may form a part of thesecond opening 62 a. Alternatively, the exhaust ports 97 a and 97 b maybe provided at a position adjacent to the second opening 62 a as aseparate unit from the second opening 62 a.

The suction port 96 a of the suction duct 96 has a cross section largerthan those of the exhaust ports 97 a and 97 b of the exhaust duct 97.Since the blower unit 92 (see FIG. 7A) of the dust removing apparatus 90has a suction flow rate substantially identical to an exhaust flow rate,the flow velocity of air at the exhaust ports 97 a and 97 b of theexhaust duct 97 are higher than the flow velocity of air at the suctionport 96 a of the suction duct 96 by a difference in an area of eachport.

Due to the difference in the flow speed, the air being exhausted fromthe exhaust ports 97 a and 97 b is prevented from being instantly drawninto the suction port 96 a. The air being exhausted from the exhaustports 97 a and 97 b has a high velocity of flow, and thus is notinstantly drawn into the suction port 96 a but jetted to the inside thefirst dust container 43.

In order to prevent the air exhausted from the exhaust ports 97 a and 97b from being instantly introduced into the suction port 96 a, a centerline of the exhaust ports 97 a and 97 b is disposed to be deviated froma center line of the suction port 96 a. Due to the deviation of thecenter lines, the air being exhausted from the exhaust ports 97 a and 97b is not instantly introduced to the suction port 96 a but introduced tothe first dust container 43 to float dust in the first dust container43, and the floated dust is discharged through the suction port 96 a tothe second dust container 93. For example, the exhaust ports 97 a and 97b and the suction port 96 are disposed at opposite side to each otherwith respect to the second opening 62 a, and the exhaust ports 97 a and97 b are disposed at each corner of the same side of the second opening62 a so that the air is exhausted directly to the first dust container43 of the robot cleaner 20 through the first opening 21 a without beingintroduced directly into the suction port 96 a. Further, the end portionof the exhaust duct 97 which connects to the second opening 62 a, may bedivided so that the air is exhausted into each of the exhaust port 97 aand 97 b.

The brush cleaning member 46 of the maintenance station 60 serves tofilter foreign substances, such as hair, wound around the brush unit 41of the robot cleaner 20. When the brush unit 41 of the robot cleaner 20rotates, the foreign substances wound around the brush unit 41 arecaught by the brush cleaning member 46 of the maintenance station 60while making contact with the brush cleaning member 46 of themaintenance station 60. The foreign substances filtered as the above arestored in the second dust container 93 by the suction force of the dustremoving apparatus 90.

FIG. 10 is a drawing illustrating the robot cleaner and the maintenancestation in accordance with one embodiment in a docking state.

Referring to FIG. 10, when the robot cleaner 20 is docked at themaintenance station 60, the first opening 21 a of the robot cleaner 20communicates with the second opening 62 a of the maintenance station 60.

At the time of docking, the suction port 96 a of the suction duct 96 isprovided at a position adjacent to the first opening 21 a of the robotcleaner 20, and disposed lengthwise along the first opening 21 a of therobot cleaner 20. In addition, the exhaust ports 97 a and 97 b of theexhaust duct 97 are also provided at a position adjacent to the firstopening 21 a of the robot cleaner 20, and disposed at end portionslengthwise along the first opening 21 a of the robot cleaner 20, thatis, at side areas of the first opening 21 a of the robot cleaner 20.

Through the structure as such, at the time of docking, the aircirculated or flowing back by the dust removing apparatus 90 forms aclosed loop. The air being exhausted from the blower unit 92 isdischarged from the exhaust ports 97 a and 97 b of the exhaust duct 97at a high speed, and after passing through the side areas of the firstopening 21 a of the robot cleaner 20, is introduced into the first dustcontainer 43 of the robot cleaner 20. The air being introduced into thefirst dust container 43 of the robot cleaner 20 is discharged to thecenter area of the first opening 21 a of the robot cleaner 20, and afterbeing introduced into the second dust container 96 through the suctionport 96 a of the suction duct 96, is drawn into the blower unit 92again.

Hereafter, the operation of the cleaning system will be described.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 10, the robot cleaner 20 detects a signal of thedocking inducing apparatus 70, and is precisely docked at themaintenance station 60 according to the detected signal. The docking ofthe robot cleaner 20 starts by entering the platform 62 starting fromthe front portion of the robot cleaner 20, and completes at a positionat which the first opening 21 a of the robot cleaner 20 communicateswith the second opening 62 a of the maintenance station 60.

When the docking is completed, the dust removing apparatus 90 dischargesthe dust stored in the robot cleaner 20 to the maintenance station 60.

In detail, the blower unit 92 exhaust air through the exhaust ports 97 aand 97 b via the exhaust pipe 95 and the exhaust duct 97 at a highspeed, and the air exhausted from the exhaust ports 97 a and 97 b isintroduced into the first dust container 43 by passing through the firstopening 21 a of the robot cleaner 20.

The air being introduced into the first dust container 43 of the robotcleaner 20 stirs the entire space of the first dust container 43 withoutremaining a dead zone. In particular, the exhaust ports 97 a and 97 bare installed at side areas lengthwise along the first opening 21 a ofthe robot cleaner 20, so the air being exhausted from the exhaust ports97 a and 97 b is capable of generally stirring the first dust container43 starting from the side areas. Thereafter, the dust stored in thefirst dust container 43 is floated by the air being introduced into thefirst dust container 32, and is discharged from the first opening 21 aof the robot cleaner 20 together with the air being introduced into thefirst dust container 43.

The blower unit 92 generates a suction force at the first opening 21 aof the robot cleaner 20 to suck the dust escaping from the first dustcontainer 43 of the robot cleaner 20. Thereafter, the dust beingintroduced into the suction port 96 a of the suction duct 96, is storedin the second dust container 93 by passing through the suction pipe 94,and air returns to the blower unit 92 by passing through the filter 93a.

The air being exhausted from the blower unit 92 returns again to theblower unit 92 after sequentially passing through the exhaust pipe 95,the exhaust duct 97, the first opening 21 a of the robot cleaner 20, thefirst dust container 43 of the robot cleaner 20, the first opening 21 aof the robot cleaner 20, the suction duct 92, the suction pipe 94, andthe second dust container 94. Since the air is circulated or flown back,the air is maximally prevented from being escaping to the outside, sothat the filter 93 a may have a low level of performance. In addition,even if the blower unit 92 is provided in one unit thereof, the air issucked or exhausted.

In addition, the air exhausted from the exhaust ports 97 a and 97 b ofthe exhaust duct 97 is exhausted through the side areas lengthwise alongthe first opening 21 a of the robot cleaner 20 and the second opening 62a of the maintenance station while the air sucked by the suction port 96a of the suction duct 96 is sucked at the overall area lengthwise alongthe first opening 21 a of the robot cleaner 20 and the second opening 62a of the maintenance station 60, so that the dust escaping from thefirst dust container 43 of the robot cleaner 20 is mainly moved throughthe center areas of the first opening 21 a of the robot cleaner 20 andthe second opening 62 a of the maintenance station 60. Such adisposition of the suction port 96 a and the exhaust ports 97 a and 97 bprevents dust, which is being escaped from the first dust container 43of the robot cleaner 20, from being moved to the side areas and thenescaping to the outside.

Such a position of the suction port 96 a and the exhaust ports 97 a and97 b relative to the first opening 21 a of the robot cleaner 20 and thesecond opening 62 a of the maintenance station 60 produces a sealingeffect between the robot cleaner 20 and the maintenance station 60.

FIG. 11 is a drawing illustrating a cleaning system in accordance withanother embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 12 is a sidesectional view of a dust removing apparatus in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present disclosure.

The following description will be made in relation to the differenceover the previous embodiment described in FIGS. 1 to 10.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the cleaning system 110 includes a robotcleaner 20, a maintenance station 160, and a dust removing apparatus190. A maintenance system 200 includes the maintenance station 160 andthe dust removing apparatus 190. The maintenance station 160 includes ahousing 161 and a platform 162 is provided at the housing 161. Theplatform 162 is formed with a second opening 162 a which is provided ata position communicating with the first opening 21 a (see FIG. 1) of therobot cleaner 20.

The dust removing apparatus 190 includes a case 191, a second dustcontainer 193 installed at an inside the case 191 and a blower unit 192installed at an inside the case 191. In addition, the dust removingapparatus 190 includes a suction pipe 194.

The maintenance station 160 is disposed at indoors of the wall W, andthe dust removing apparatus 190 is disposed at outdoors of the wall W. Acoupling part 168 of the maintenance station 160 is insertedly fixed tothe inside of the wall, and the suction pipe 194 of the dust removingapparatus 190 is coupled to the coupling part 168, thereby coupling themaintenance station 160 to the dust removing apparatus 190.

The second dust container 193 is formed at an inside the case 191. Theblower unit 192 is installed at one side of the second dust container193 to generate a suction force allowing air and dust to be introducedinto the inside of the second dust container 193.

A filter 193 a is installed between the blower unit 192 and the seconddust container 193 so that the air is sucked together with dust into thesecond dust container 193 by the suction force of the blower unit 192,but only dust is stored in the second dust container 193 and the air isdrawn into the blower unit 192.

The suction pipe 194 is mounted at the second dust container 193 whilebeing connected to the robot cleaner 20 and the maintenance station 160so as to suck air and dust.

In order that the blower unit 192 sucks air to one direction butexhausts the air to the other direction, an outlet (not shown) is formedat the case 191 to discharge the exhaustion air.

FIG. 13 is a drawing illustrating a cleaning system in accordance withanother embodiment of the present disclosure.

The following description will be made in relation to a difference overthe previous embodiment described in FIGS. 1 to 10.

Referring to FIG. 13, a cleaning system 210 includes a robot cleaner 20,a maintenance station 260, and a dust removing apparatus 290. Amaintenance system 300 includes the maintenance station 260 and the dustremoving apparatus 290. The maintenance station 300 includes a housing261 and a platform 262 is provided at the housing 261. The platform 262is formed with a second opening 262 a which is provided at a positioncommunicating with the first opening 21 a (see FIG. 1) of the robotcleaner 20.

The dust removing apparatus 290 includes a case 291 and a suction pipe294, which communicates with a second dust container (not shown)installed at an inside the case 291.

The maintenance station 260 is disposed at indoors of the wall W, andthe dust removing apparatus 290 is disposed at outdoors of the wall W. Acoupling part 268 of the maintenance station 260 is insertedly fixed tothe inside of the wall, and the suction pipe 294 of the dust removingapparatus 290 is coupled to the coupling part 268, thereby connectingthe maintenance station 260 to the dust removing apparatus 290.

An exhaust motor 298 is provided to blow air into the first dustcontainer 43 (see FIG. 2) such that air is exhausted to the first dustcontainer 43 to scatter dust contained in the first dust container 43and the scatter dust is sucked, thereby increasing the amount of dustbeing exhausted from the first dust container 43.

The exhaust motor 298 is mounted at the coupling part 268 of themaintenance station 260.

As apparent from the above description, the maintenance station and thecleaning system having the same are provided with an additional dustremoving apparatus, thereby maintaining the performance of a robotcleaner.

In addition, the dust removing apparatus is provided separately from amaintenance station, thereby enhancing the spatial efficiency atindoors.

Although a few embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown anddescribed, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art thatchanges may be made in these embodiments without departing from theprinciples and spirit of the disclosure, the scope of which is definedin the claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A maintenance system comprising: a maintenancestation provided at indoors to mount a robot cleaner having a first dustcontainer thereon; a suction pipe connected to the maintenance stationto guide dust of the first dust container to outside of the maintenancestation; and a dust removing apparatus disposed at outdoors to storedust while being connected to the suction pipe.
 2. The maintenancesystem of claim 1, further comprising an exhaust pipe being connected tothe maintenance station and configured to float dust through air beingintroduced by blowing air in the first dust container.
 3. Themaintenance system of claim 2, wherein the maintenance station isprovided at an inside thereof with a suction duct and an exhaust ductthat communicate with the suction pipe and the exhaust pipe,respectively.
 4. The maintenance system of claim 3, wherein themaintenance station is provided with a second opening at a positioncorresponding to a first opening extending from the first dustcontainer, and a suction port and at least one exhaust port, whichcommunicate with the suction duct and the exhaust duct, respectively,are provided at the second opening.
 5. The maintenance system of claim4, wherein the at least one exhaust port and the suction port aredisposed at opposite sides to each other with respect to the secondopening.
 6. The maintenance system of claim 4, wherein the at least oneexhaust port has a cross section smaller than a cross section of thesuction port to increase a speed of flow at the at least one exhaustport.
 7. The maintenance system of claim 2, wherein the suction pipe andthe exhaust pipe are disposed while passing through a wall that dividesthe indoors from the outdoors.
 8. The maintenance system of claim 2,wherein the maintenance station is provided at an end portion thereofwith a coupling part being inserted into the wall that divides theindoors from the outdoors, and the suction pipe and the exhaust pipe arecoupled to the coupling part.
 9. The maintenance system of claim 1,wherein the dust removing apparatus has a second dust container to storedust being discharged from the first dust container.
 10. The maintenancesystem of claim 2, wherein the dust removing apparatus further comprisesa blower unit configured to blow in air at the at least one exhaust portand suck air at the suction port.
 11. The maintenance system of claim10, wherein the dust removing apparatus further comprises a filter toprevent dust of the second dust container from being introduced into theblower unit.
 12. The maintenance system of claim 4, wherein the firstopening and the second opening are disposed to match each other so thatthe first dust container, the suction port, the suction pipe, the dustremoving apparatus, the exhaust pipe and the at least one exhaust portform a closed loop in cooperation with one another.
 13. The maintenancesystem of claim 1, wherein the maintenance station further comprises: adocking inducing apparatus provided to guide the robot cleaner to bedocked at the maintenance station; and a charging apparatus to chargethe robot cleaner.
 14. A maintenance system comprising: a maintenancestation disposed at indoors to mount a robot cleaner having a first dustcontainer thereon; a suction pipe communicating with the maintenancestation to discharge dust of the robot cleaner; a dust removingapparatus disposed at outdoors to store the dust being dischargedthrough the suction pipe; and an exhaust pipe configured to introduceair into the maintenance station so as to float dust at an inside thefirst dust container, the exhaust pipe having one end portioncommunicating with the maintenance station and the other end portioncommunicating with the dust removing apparatus, wherein the dustremoving apparatus further comprises a blower unit configured to allowair to be discharged through the exhaust pipe while allowing dust andair to be sucked through the suction pipe.
 15. The maintenance system ofclaim 14, wherein: the maintenance station is provided with a secondopening corresponding to a first opening communicating with the firstdust container of the robot cleaner, a suction port is disposed at thesecond opening so that the second opening communicates with the suctionpipe, and at least one exhaust port is disposed at the second opening sothat the second opening communicates with the exhaust pipe.
 16. Themaintenance system of claim 15, wherein a center line of the at leastone exhaust port is disposed to be deviated from a center line of thesuction port to prevent air being discharged from the at least oneexhaust port from being directly introduced into the suction port. 17.The maintenance system of claim 15, wherein the at least one exhaustport has a cross section smaller than a cross section of the suctionport to increase a speed of flow at the at least one exhaust port. 18.The maintenance system of claim 14, wherein the dust removing apparatuscomprises: a second dust container into which air and dust areintroduced through the suction pipe; and a filter disposed between thesecond dust container and the blower unit so as to introduce air intothe blower unit.
 19. A cleaning system comprising: a robot cleanerhaving a first opening and a first dust container communicating with thefirst opening; a maintenance station on which the robot cleaner ismounted and having a second opening disposed at a position correspondingto the first opening; a suction pipe communicating with the secondopening while communicating with an outside of the maintenance station;and a dust removing apparatus connected to the suction pipe and having asecond dust container to store dust, the dust removing apparatusdisposed outdoors, wherein the dust of the first dust container isdischarged to the second opening through the first opening; and dust ofthe second opening is collected through the suction pipe into the seconddust container of the dust removing apparatus at outdoors.
 20. Thecleaning system of claim 19, further comprising an exhaust pipe havingone end portion connected to the dust removing apparatus provided atoutdoors and the other end portion connected to the maintenance stationprovided at indoors so as to float dust through air being introduced byblowing air into the first dust container.
 21. The maintenance system ofclaim 4, wherein the at least one exhaust port is disposed at a cornerof the second opening and the suction port is disposed in a centerportion of the second opening.
 22. The maintenance system of claim 15,wherein the at least one exhaust port is disposed at a corner of thesecond opening and the suction port is disposed in a center portion ofthe second opening.
 23. The maintenance system of claim 4, wherein theat least one exhaust port is disposed at a side portion of the secondopening and the suction port is disposed in a center portion of thesecond opening.
 24. The maintenance system of claim 15, wherein the atleast one exhaust port is disposed at a side portion of the secondopening and the suction port is disposed in a center portion of thesecond opening.